Showboat (dragster)

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Tommy Ivo's Showboat dragster with the body on TommyIvoFourEngineDragster.jpg
Tommy Ivo's Showboat dragster with the body on

Showboat is a four-engined four-wheel-drive exhibition slingshot dragster, built by "TV Tommy" Ivo in the 1960s.

Dragster (car) specialized competition automobile used in drag racing

A dragster is a specialized competition automobile used in drag racing.

Tommy Ivo American racing driver

Tommy Ivo, also known as "TV Tommy" and "Instant Ivo" is an actor and drag racer, who was active in the 1960s racing community. In the late 1950s, Ivo raced a twin Buick nailhead-engined dragster which was the first gasoline-powered dragster to break the nine-second barrier.

Showboat featured four Buick nailhead V8s, linked together; two drove the rear wheels, two the front. [1]

While Ivo never liked the name, Showboat proved one of the most popular models of his cars. [2]

Showboat was Hot Rod's December 1961 cover car. [3]

Notes

  1. Scherr, Elana. "Tommy Ivo's Treasures", in Hot Rod, 8/2014, p. 77 caption.
  2. Scherr, p. 83.
  3. Scherr, p. 83.

Sources


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